Math 45: Instructor's Syllabus
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Catalogue Description
The use and application of matrices in the solution of systems of linear equations, determinants, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigenvalues, eigenvectors, diagonalization, and orthogonality. Linear algebra is a core course in many engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer science programs.
Special notes or advisories: Computer exploration is an integral component of this course. Students will also create and present oral and written analyses of a topic that requires use of the concepts and techniques learned in this course.
Prerequisites
Math 30 (or equivalent) and Math 25 (or equivalent) with a grade of "C" or better, or appropriate score on assessment exam.
Describe representative skills without which the student would be highly unlikely to succeed: Students must be well-grounded in both college algebra and trigonometry to be successful in this course.
Official Course Outline
The official course outline for Linear Algebra, including content, objectives, and student learning outcomes, can be viewed online via the following link:
Instructor's Schedule
The following link contains a copy of my schedule, including office hours.
Note: These are "official" office hours. However, I will make myself available whenever I can. Please do not be afraid to ask for help at any time as I am always eager to help.
Office Location and Phone
- Physical Science building PS114A
- Office phone: (707) 476-4222
Cancelled Classes
Those driving long distances to attend classes are advised to call (707) 476-4210 before driving to the CR campus. Choose #5 from a menu of choices. You will then be advised of any cancelled classes for the day in the Physical Sciences complex (math/science). Thus, you can avoid the frustration of driving to campus, only to find that your class has been cancelled.
My email address is: David-Arnold@redwoods.edu
myCR
Click the myCR icon that follows. This will initiate contact with myCR. Click the Account tool, then the Modify Details button. Change your password. Be sure to write down your login name and password for future reference. Next, click the Profile tool and enter any information you wish to share. Don't enter things like phone numbers that you wish to keep private.
Once you login to myCR, locate your math class and take some time to find out what is provided. Then read the "Welcome Message" in the Discussion Board and reply to to the "Welcome Message" thread. In the future, use the Discussion Board to discuss issues and problems you are having with your class.
Texts
Introduction to Linear Algebra, Fourth Edition, Strang, Wellesley-Cambridge Press:
This is a new edition (4th edition, February 10, 2009), so finding a cheap price will be difficult. Here are some purchase options:
- CR Bookstore will have the text on its shelves. It will probably be pricey.
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Amazon has a few at $87.50 at the following link:
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You can purchase directly from Wellesley-Cambridge Press.
Students can buy the book directly by sending a check for $80 to Wellesley-Cambridge Press, Box 812060, Wellesley MA 02482 with their mailing address.
Matlab
Matlab is a powerful software package created by the engineers at the Mathworks. Matlab software can be installed on several platforms, including Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows XP.
If you do not have a computer capable of running the Matlab software, then you can take advantage of the computing power located in room PS116. Matlab is installed on each of these machines for use by students in linear algebra. If students at the branch campuses need to have Matlab installed on branch campus computers, please contact the instructor at David-Arnold@redwoods.edu.
You can also purchase the student edition of Matlab 7 at
http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_version/.
Please check
http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_version/requirements.html
to see if your system has adequate hardware to run this release of Matlab. This kit includes the Matlab software, the Symbolic Toolbox (an interface to Maple), and Simulink, powerful engineering modeling and design software. The kit also contains a version of the Image Processing and Signal Processing toolboxes, as well as other assorted toolboxes.
After installing Matlab on your system, type helpdesk at the Matlab prompt and read the Getting Started section.
Further Computing Resources
The Eureka campus houses computing facilities for its linear algebra students. They are located in the physical sciences building, room PS116. There are a number of powerful software packages on the machines in this room that will aid in the study of linear algebra. See your instructor for login name and password.
Transferring Files to and from the Department Server
Along with your username and password, which allow you to log on to computers in the Math/Science/Engineering computer labs and print your class assignments, you are granted some file storage space on the Math department's file server, MSEMac, which allows you to save files files and access them at school as well as at home. Using the server to store and back up your class files will help ensure that you are always up-to-date on your assignments, will let you work on projects in multiple places, can guard against computer failure, and lets you transfer files from campus and back without needing a memory stick.
The process for connecting to MSEMac is different for Macs and PCs (the former is somewhat simpler). If you have a Mac, please read our guide to connecting to MSEMac for Macs, and if you have a PC, please read our guide to connecting to MSEMac for PCs.
Computer Lab -- Code of Conduct
Please see ComputerLabCodeofConduct.html for a set of rules and guidelines for computer use and maintaining decorum in the study rooms available in the physical sciences building.
Calculators
We will use Matlab to perform most of our calculations, so calculators are not an integral part of the course. Whatever calculator you currently own will probably be fine for this course.
Exams and Quizzes
Over the years, I have become more and more frustrated with the approach that students take in their studies. Typically, when students know an exam is coming up, they put on hold studies in their other classes to "cram" for the upcoming test. This is perfectly understandable and I freely admit that I did much the same thing when I was a student.
However, this is really not a good way to learn. Often, students are frustrated to find themselves behind in their other classes as they stuggle to prepare for an exam. They are unable to participate in lectures and they cannot follow the material in class because they are sections behind in their work. This is also frustrating for the teacher as he often winds up talking to himself during lecture.
Consequently, we will have a quiz each Monday on the previous week's material. You will be allowed approximately 20 minutes to complete each quiz. Hopefully, this will encourage students to keep up-to-date on the current material.
There will also be a mideterm examination near the midpoint of the semester. This will be a full period examination.
Homework
Homework will be assigned daily and will be due the next class meeting. Each homework will be assigned a grade ranging from 0-10 points, bases on completeness, the following of directions, and the quality of work.
It is essential that students keep up with the homework on a daily basis. Each time you come to class without your homework, you are not prepared to take part in the class at a level geared to your success. Therefore, students are encouraged to hand in homework on time. However, I am acutely aware of the responsibilities that many students have to deal with outside the classroom. Consequently, I do allow a "grace period" of one class period for late work. That is, if you hand your homework in by the next class period, I will still accept the assignment. However, there is an automatic 2-point deduction for late work. Homework later than one class period will not be accepted.
If you are experiencing difficulty getting your homework in on time, or if you know an upcoming event will interfere with getting your homework in on time, please discuss this with your instructor. We can possibly make some arrangment to help facilitate the completion of your work.
In order to facilitate the recording of homework scores, students are required to place their name in the upper right-hand corner of their homework assignment and staple the pages together with a single staple in the upper left-hand corner. On the first line of the of the first page of your homework, please write down the assignement number, the pages that encompass the assignement, and list each exercise number assigned. For example, the first line of your homework might read:
Assignment #12, Page 150, #1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 23, 45
Finally, each student is required to complete a term project in the class. Details for the project will follow below.
Student Term Projects
Each student in linear algebra is required to create a linear algebra project. This project will take the place of the final examination in linear algebra. The class will meet during the final examination period when students will present their projects.
Distance Students
In the past, some distance students have chosen to attend the final at the Eureka campus to present their project, but other arrangements can be made. Contact your instructor.
Project Requirements
Each student (or student team) must prepare two reports: (1) a paper, and (2) a presenstation. Here are some guidelines:
- The relevant due dates and description of grading can be found in Timelines and Grading.
- You may work alone or as a team. Teams may be composed of no more than two students. If you work as a team, each student must share equally in the workload and verbal presentation of the project. That is, both students must speak before the class. You may not have one student give the oral part of the presentation while the other student handles the visuals, for example.
- The subject of the project must be a real world application of linear algebra. There are several good sources for potential projects:
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- The periodical stacks at the CR or HSU library are a good source for potential projects. Often, it is best to skim the bibliographies of various textbooks for papers involving modeling in disciplines of interest to you before going to the library to search through the periodicals.
- Harvey Mudd College has catalogued all articles in the College Mathematics Journal (Formerly the Two Year College Mathematics Journal) and the Mathematics Magazine of the MAA. A searchable database is available at http://www.math.hmc.edu/journalsearch/.
- There are a number of important environmental sources in our area that you might find potentially inetersting: the pulp mill, the power plant, Pacific Lumber, etc.
- The HSU mathematics department is famous for its mathematical modeling. You might try contacting one of the professors there for a potential project idea. A number of CR mathematics faculty earned their degress at HSU and may suggest project ideas of interest.
- I personally collect papers on applications of linear algebra. See me in my office if you would like to browse my collection.
- The individual students or student teams must present their projects to the class. This presentation should include creative and appropriate use of technology as well as use of linear algebra technique learned during the semester. You may also use linear algebra technique that was not covered during the semester. For example, if you do project in mechanics that requires the use of the Euler-Lagrange equations, then you may take the time to learn the Euler-Lagrange formulation and include this technique in both your paper and presentation.
- Both your paper and presentation must be typeset using Latex.
- You will want to create two folders in your workspace on the network. One folder should be named paper, the other should be named presentation. Place all files associated with your paper in the paper folder and all files associated with your presentation in the presentation folder.
- The writing in your paper must be original. The writing must be your own. You may not copy prose from papers and call it your own. If there is an appropriate use of a quote that you would like to use, you must reference it professionally and in a correct manner.
- Your project is complete when your instructor has published both your paper and presentation on the website.
- The project is mandatory. You will not pass the class if you fail to complete and present your student project.
Some thoughts on your presentation.
- Presenters should limit their talk to 15 minutes.
- Remember that you have all semester to work through the intricate details of the mathematics required by your topic. However, you will quickly put your audience to sleep if you pound them with too much mathematical detail during your presentation. It may be better to concentrate more on the results of your topic during the presentation. Carefully built slides or programmed simulations will capture the attention of the audience, while a sea of mathematical detail might quickly put them to sleep.
- Your paper is a completely different story. It is expected that you will include both the results and images as well as all of the mathematics that produced them. Concentrate on clearly presenting all of the work that you have put into your topic, including all relevant mathematics.
- Your presentation should be completely professional. The use of "gimmicky" sounds and animations are not allowed in your presentation.
- You should not use the whiteboard during your presentation. All of your material should be placed on slides in advance of your presentation.
Grades
To determine your grade in the class, points from homework, quizzes, midterm, and the project will be totaled, then weighted and curved to determine a final grade in the class.The Syllabus is Subject to Change
As your instructor, I reserve the right to make adjustments to the syllabus should things not proceed as smoothly as expected. However, in general, I do not anticipate making changes.